I remember in fifth grade pinning embroidery floss to the knee of my pants and knotting friendship bracelets under my desk. Fast forward to college and I would sneak into art classes I couldn't sign up for, do all the fun work, and then duck out right before finals.

I've been melting glass (called lampworking or flameworking) for nine years. I have a torch and kiln set up in my home studio and have been fortunate to take classes with awesome teachers like Holly Cooper, Kim Fields, and Paul Stankard. I consider the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts my second home and I cannot recommend a workshop at an art school strongly enough. My art career collided with my adoration of science fiction ("Live Long, and Prosper") in 2011 when two of my glass beads were launched into space on the Endeavour Space Shuttle as part of the incredible Beads of Courage program.

Now with the beautiful permission that adulthood bestows I'm able to fill the creative itch with melting glass, sewing indulgent fibers, and taking other reclaimed objects and making them fun and colorful in my Cincinnati home. I use items like cashmere and wool sweaters, sunglasses, and iron keys and combine them together with one goal: to make people smile. Nothing pleases me more than to see someone's expression brighten after seeing my work.